Fund “Sukhumi” Participated in a Masterclass on Digital Inclusion in Tallinn
27.05.25
Linda Chikhladze, representing the Fund “Sukhumi,” was one of ten participants from Georgia who took part in a two-day masterclass held in Tallinn, Estonia, aimed at promoting digital awareness and inclusion in Georgia’s regions, especially rural communities. The event introduced participants to service design methodology and focused on identifying the key barriers vulnerable groups face in accessing digital services. For Linda, the experience was a significant step in her professional and personal development, reinforcing the importance of the Fund’s approach, that technology must be designed based on real human needs. Alongside the masterclass, the Georgian delegation also had the opportunity to attend the high-level e-Governance Conference – #eGov2025.
The meeting of Tsalenjikha women's mutual assistance group was unusual. The meeting showed performances of the Forum Theatre of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. Everyone saw the reasons of violence, the negative consequences and the need to eradicate it.
The meeting of Terjola group was held online. The group became stronger thanks to joint work and was able to solve some problems. New members also try to pave their own path to success.
In Senaki, the needs of the group members were identified. One of the group members was given a mobile phone. The participants of the meeting in Kutaisi got acquainted with the results of other groups.
The work in other municipalities was also interesting. The psychologist of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” was actively involved in the process, answered women's questions and gave them the necessary advice.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
In May, the psychologist of the Fund “Sukhumi” held meetings in the Women Support Centers of Senaki, Khurcha, Kutaisi, Terjola and Vani.
The topic of the meeting was "Emotions and stress". During the meetings, the psychologist used the so-called "Emotional parcels", where the names of emotions were written down. The participants showed emotions using the body language, which was both funny and interesting.
"Emotions are an integral part of our lives, and individual differences in their manifestation depend on age, past experience, physical condition of a person, his interests and activities, character, social environment, etc. Women learned a lot thanks to the exercises and will definitely use my advice in practice," noted psychologist Eka Kvacakidze.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Trained para-specialists of our organization actively work with mobilizers of Women Support Centers. Improving social work in individual communities helps reduce the risk of violence in families.
Para-specialists work with particularly vulnerable families (IDPs, socially vulnerable people, families under crisis). Providing them with information and giving them correct direction is an important tool in social work.
In May, twenty cases were identified and redirected to the relevant services and programs in all ten Women Support Centers. In parallel, monitoring is being conducted and the progress of cases identified in previous months is being checked. In their work, para-specialists actively use the manual published by the Fund “Sukhumi” - "A Guide on Social Work for Community Leaders: Supporting Women at Risk of Domestic Violence and Survivors of violence."
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Unemployment, low financial income in families are actual problems in almost all communities.
These problems are especially sensitive in Khurcha community, a village located on the conflict dividing line (Zugdidi municipality). Such topics are actively discussed at information meetings. Participants discuss and jointly seek solutions. The mobilizer of Khurcha Women Support Center introduces new information to the population and thus tries to contribute to the creation of a full-fledged environment.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Monitoring conducted in Women Support Centers confirms that professional trainings are the most popular directions among women's needs.
Discussion of the issue confirmed that such courses are a good opportunity for women to change their lives and make them interesting.
The opening of polymer clay courses in Chokhatauri Municipality will partially satisfy women's needs.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
Meetings held in Women Support Centers are a source of new information for participants. In addition to information, the meetings also aim to communicate with each other and exchange opinions.
Women speak loudly about their own and common problems, then discuss ways to solve them, make plans...
The Fund “Sukhumi” always supports them in this process and tries to respond to women's needs.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
According to the Dictionary of Civic Education, initiation means raising an issue, putting it on the agenda on one's own initiative.
In our practice, initiated events are often organized, especially in youth groups.
During trainings, young people get acquainted with various topics related to conflict and violence management. Then they themselves take the initiative and hold information meetings and competitions, prepare videos and posters, write essays, draw thematic pictures, etc.
Currently, trainings are actively conducted with youth groups and, in parallel, initiative events are planned. This is one of the important forms of dissemination of information
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
An interesting discussion was held with a group of women from Khoni IDP settlement. The topic of conversation was the psychosocial, economic, legal and structural aspects of migration. The participants shared their views on what impacts the scale of migration, what are its social consequences and side effects, and what can be done to prevent migration.
"When, according to statistics, 43% of immigrants in recent years are children under 15, of course, there are real reasons for concern."
"10-15 years ago there was a big wave of migration in Khoni. There are no women left who could leave. Now it is more of a migration of young people."
"They leave, and factually no one comes back."
"To prevent migration, we must familiarize society with its social consequences. Let's think together what people, especially women, need to avoid this step."
Many specific ideas were expressed regarding areas where real employment opportunities for women should appear and conditions for their support should be created.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
